Container assembly for aging a liquid

ABSTRACT

A container assembly ( 10 ) for retaining a liquid ( 16 ) during aging of the liquid ( 16 ) comprises a container ( 12 ) and an oxygenator ( 230 ). The container ( 12 ) includes a container body ( 14 ) that defines a chamber ( 14 A) that receives and retains the liquid ( 16 ). The oxygenator ( 230 ) is positioned substantially within the chamber ( 14 A). The oxygenator ( 230 ) includes a fluid source ( 662 ), one or more diffusers ( 672 ), and a valve ( 670 ). The one or more diffusers ( 672 ) are in fluid communication with the fluid source ( 662 ). The valve ( 670 ) selectively controls the introduction of a fluid from the fluid source ( 662 ) into the liquid ( 16 ) through the one or more diffusers ( 672 ). The container assembly ( 10 ) further comprises an insert retainer assembly ( 338 ) and one or more flavor inserts ( 440 ) that are received and retained by the insert retainer assembly ( 338 ). The container ( 12 ) further includes a container aperture ( 20 ) that extends through the container body ( 14 ). The container aperture ( 20 ) can have a size that is less than approximately twenty-five percent of the total surface area of a top of the container body ( 14 ). Additionally, the container aperture ( 20 ) can extend outward radially from the center of the top of the container body ( 14 ).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority on U.S. application Ser. No. 13/502,140filed on Apr. 15, 2012 and entitled “Container Assembly for Aging aLiquid”. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/502,140 claims priority on PCTApplication Serial No. PCT/US10/52721 filed on Oct. 14, 2010 andentitled “Container Assembly for Aging a Liquid”. PCT application SerialNo. PCT/US10/52721 claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/252,518 filed on Oct. 16, 2009 and entitled “Installation andProcedure for Introducing Micro Oxygenation Into a Vessel for Aging aLiquid”. As far as is permitted, the contents of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/502,140, the contents of PCT Application Serial No.PCT/US10/52721 and the contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/252,518 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Wood barrels are commonly used to age wine and other beverages.Unfortunately, wood barrels are relatively expensive to make and have arelatively short operational life. For example, a high end barrel usedfor only the finest wines is typically made from French oak and is veryexpensive. Additionally, the chemical ability of the wood to effect andimpart flavor nuances expires rapidly and a wood barrel can typicallyonly be considered to be in its prime for two to three years, e.g. oneto two vintages. Once the traditional wood barrel had exhausted itschemical ability to impart flavors on the liquid, i.e. has gone “oakneutral”, the conventional barrel is often sold on the used market orcommitted to lesser quality beverages. This creates a rapidlydepreciating asset and investment for the beverage maker. One previousmethod for addressing this issue is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,476issued to Roleder. As far as is permitted, the contents of U.S. Pat. No.7,284,476 are incorporated herein by reference.

Moreover, traditional wood barrels have always allowed oxygen to passthrough the wood construction of the barrel, thereby introducingmicro-oxygenation (i.e. small amounts of oxygen) into the wine or otherbeverages during the aging process. However, when wine is aged in anon-breathing vessel such as a stainless steel tank, micro-oxygenationis not happening naturally anymore. Accordingly, alternative methodshave been created in order to introduce oxygen into the liquid. Modernmicro-oxygenation technology involves a process used in winemakingwhereby oxygen is introduced into the wine in a controlled manner so asto precisely control the amount and rate of oxygen released into thewine while it is aging.

A typical micro-oxygenation process involves a large two-chamber devicewith valves interconnected to a tank of oxygen. In the first chamber theoxygen is calibrated to match the volume of the wine. In the secondchamber the oxygen is injected into the wine through a porous ceramicstone or sintered stainless steel diffusers located at the bottom of thechamber. Unfortunately, this process has provided less than idealresults in barrels. For example, this process has increased spacerequirements as the oxygen chamber must be connected with tubes to eachof the barrels.

Accordingly, new devices and processes are desired which can introducemicro-oxygenation into the liquid in a well-controlled manner, and whichcan impart flavors on the liquid, utilizing equipment that is simple,compact, reliable, durable and affordable.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a container assembly for retaininga liquid during aging of the liquid. In certain embodiments, thecontainer assembly comprises a container and an oxygenator. Thecontainer includes a container body that defines a chamber that receivesand retains the liquid. The oxygenator is positioned substantiallywithin the chamber. In one embodiment, the oxygenator includes a fluidsource, one or more diffusers, and a valve. The one or more diffusersare in fluid communication with the fluid source. The valve selectivelycontrols the introduction of a fluid from the fluid source into theliquid through the one or more diffusers. With this design, because theoxygenator is positioned in the container assembly, the containerassembly is a self-contained system for aging the liquid.

In one embodiment, the container assembly further comprises anoxygenator mount assembly that rotatably secures the oxygenator to thecontainer body.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the oxygen source is a tank that ispositioned substantially within the chamber. In such embodiment, thevalve regulates the volume and rate of flow of the fluid that is beingintroduced from the tank into the liquid.

Further, in some embodiments, the container assembly further comprisesan insert retainer assembly and one or more flavor inserts. The insertretainer assembly is mounted about the oxygenator within the chamber.Moreover, the insert retainer assembly selectively receives and retainsthe one or more flavor inserts within the chamber. In certainembodiments, the container further includes a container aperture thatextends through the container body. The container aperture can have asize that is less than approximately twenty-five percent of the totalsurface area of a top of the container body. In one embodiment, thecontainer aperture has a size that is between approximately five percentand ten percent of the total surface area of the top of the containerbody.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the container aperture extends outwardradially from the center of the top of the container body. In someembodiments, the insert retainer assembly can include a plurality oflower retainer arms that are selectively rotatable relative to thecontainer body. In one such embodiment, only a single lower retainer armcan be positioned within and/or removed from the chamber through thecontainer aperture at any given rotational position of the lowerretainer arms. Moreover, in one embodiment, each lower retainer arm isadapted to receive a row of flavor inserts. In such embodiment, only asingle row of flavor inserts can be positioned within and/or removedfrom the chamber through the container aperture at any given rotationalposition of the lower retainer arms.

Further, in some embodiments, the insert retainer assembly can furtherinclude a plurality of upper retainer arms that are selectivelyrotatable relative to the container body. In one such embodiment, only asingle upper retainer arm can be positioned within and/or removed fromthe chamber through the container aperture at any given rotationalposition of the upper retainer arms.

Still further, in one embodiment, the container assembly furthercomprises an access door that selectively closes and seals the containeraperture.

Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method forretaining a liquid during aging of the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself,both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood fromthe accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdescription, in which similar reference characters refer to similarparts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of acontainer assembly having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assemblyillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assemblyillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assemblyillustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of thecontainer assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of anoxygenator having features of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a top view of the oxygenator illustrated in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the oxygenator illustrated in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodimentof an oxygenator having features of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a side view of the oxygenator illustrated in FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 8 is a simplified flow chart that outlines one embodiment of aprocess for installing an access door and an insert retainer assembly inan existing wood barrel.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of acontainer assembly 10 having features of the present invention. Thesize, shape, and number of components in the container assembly 10 canbe varied to suit the design requirements of the container assembly 10.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the container assembly 10includes a container 12 having (i) a container body 14 that retains aliquid 16 (illustrated as circles), (ii) a first container aperture 18(also referred to herein as a rotator aperture), and (iii) a secondcontainer aperture 20 (also referred to herein as an insert aperture).It should be noted that the use of the terms “first container aperture”and “second container aperture” is merely for ease of discussion, andeither container aperture can be referred to as the first containeraperture or the second container aperture.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the container body 14 isgenerally barrel shaped having a tubular-shaped side wall 22, adisk-shaped bottom 24 (illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2), and asubstantially disk-shaped top 26. Alternatively, for example, thecontainer body 14 can be another shape, e.g. rectangular box shaped.

Additionally, the container body 14 defines a chamber 14A that receivesand retains the liquid 16 during an aging process. In alternativenon-exclusive embodiments, the chamber 14A is sized and shaped to retainapproximately 5, 10, 25, 55, 100, 500, 1000, 2500 or 5000 gallons ofliquid 16. However, the chamber 14A can be larger or smaller. Further,in certain embodiments, the container body 14 can include a bunghole(not illustrated) that is positioned within and/or extends through thecontainer body 14. The bunghole is adapted to receive a pipe or otherconduit (not illustrated) that can be used for filling the liquid 16into the chamber 14A, pumping or otherwise removing the liquid 16 fromthe chamber 14A, or racking of the liquid 16 within the chamber 14A. Inalternative such embodiments, the bunghole can be positioned in the sidewall 22, in the bottom 24, or in the top 26 of the container body 14.

As described herein, the container assembly 10 can be used to impart aflavor on the liquid 16 during an aging process. Additionally, thecontainer assembly 10 can be used to introduce micro-oxygenation (i.e.small amounts of oxygen) into the liquid 16 during the aging process. Inone embodiment, the container assembly 10 allows for the total controlof the aging of the liquid 16, including optimum processing and agingopportunities for the liquid 16. Stated another way, the containerassembly 10 can be used to precisely create the perfect environment foraging the liquid 16 so that the highest quality beverage can beachieved. Further, the container assembly 10 can be easily adjusted tobe used for different types of liquids 16 and the container assembly 10can be adjusted during the aging process, if necessary, to alter theaging process.

The type of liquid 16 aged in the container assembly 10 can vary. Forexample, the liquid 16 can be a red wine, white wine, port, whiskey,brandy, or other beverages.

In one embodiment, the container body 14 can be made from a stainlesssteel material, which imparts no flavor on the liquid 16, and which doesnot allow for oxygen to be naturally introduced into the liquid 16.Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the container body 14 can be madefrom a wood material or some other suitable food grade material.Additionally and/or alternatively, in one embodiment, certain componentsof the container assembly 10, as described herein, can be utilized toretrofit and extend the service life of existing wood barrels that areno longer able to sufficiently impart flavors on the liquid 16.

As will be described in greater detail below, the first containeraperture 18, i.e. the rotator aperture, is utilized to assist in theinstallation and positioning of and/or providing access to certainadditional components of the container assembly 10. The first containeraperture 18 is positioned within and/or extends through the containerbody 14. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the firstcontainer aperture 18 can be somewhat U-shaped and can be positionedsubstantially in the center of the top 26 of the container body 14.Alternatively, the first container aperture 18 can have a differentshape and/or can be positioned in a different portion of the containerbody 14.

Further, as will be described in greater detail below, the secondcontainer aperture 20, i.e. the insert aperture, is utilized to assistin the installation and positioning of and/or providing access tocertain additional components of the container assembly 10. The secondcontainer aperture 20 is positioned within and/or extends through thecontainer body 14. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thesecond container aperture 20 can be substantially rectangle shaped andcan be positioned within the top 26 of the container body 14 such thatthe second container aperture 20 is co-extensive with the firstcontainer aperture 18. Alternatively, the second container aperture 20can have a different shape and/or be positioned in a different portionof the container body 14. For example, in one alternative embodiment,the second container aperture 20 is spaced apart from the firstcontainer aperture 18.

Additionally, the size of the second container aperture 20 can vary. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the size of the second containeraperture 20 can be such that it is less than approximately twenty-fivepercent (25%) of the total surface area of the top 26 of the containerbody 14. More particularly, in one embodiment, the size of the secondcontainer aperture 20 can be between approximately five percent (5%) andten percent (10%) of the total surface area of the top 26 of thecontainer body 14. For example, in one non-exclusive embodiment, thesecond container aperture 20 can be substantially rectangle shaped andcan be approximately four inches wide by eight inches long radially.Alternatively, the second container aperture 20 can be a different size.For example, the second container aperture 20 can be greater thantwenty-five percent (25%) of the total surface area of the top 26 of thecontainer body 14 or less than five percent (5%) of the total surfacearea of the top 26 of the container body 14.

Further, as illustrated in this embodiment, the second containeraperture 20 can extend radially away from the first container aperture18, i.e. radially away from the center of the top 26 of the containerbody 14 to near the perimeter of the top 26. Moreover, as described indetail below, the second container aperture 20 is sized and shaped sothat an oxygenator 230 (illustrated in FIG. 2), an insert retainerassembly 338 (illustrated in FIG. 3), and one or more flavor inserts 440(illustrated in FIG. 4) can quickly and easily be installed withinand/or removed from the container body 14 in modular fashion through thesecond container aperture 20.

Additionally, the container apertures 18, 20 are uniquely designed to besmall enough so that the container apertures 18, 20 do not influence thestructural integrity (significantly reduce the strength) of the top 26of the container body 14. Thus, the design of the container apertures18, 20 enables multiple containers to be stacked together on their sideswithout negatively impacting the seal of the container apertures 18, 20and/or causing the container 12 to leak.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assembly 10illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates that thecontainer assembly 10 further includes an oxygenation assembly 228 thatintroduces a controlled amount of a fluid, e.g., oxygen, to the liquid16 (illustrated in FIG. 1) during the aging process. It should be notedthat a portion of the side wall 22 has been removed in FIG. 2 so as toenable the viewing of the oxygenation assembly 228 as it is positionedwithin the container body 14.

Additionally, it should be noted that although the present invention isdescribed herein as utilizing the oxygenation assembly 228 to introducea controlled amount of oxygen to the liquid 16 during the aging process,the present invention is equally able to utilize the oxygenationassembly 228 to introduce one or more alternative fluids to the liquid16.

In one embodiment, the oxygenation assembly 228 can have a modulardesign such that the oxygenation assembly 228 can be positioned withinand/or removed from the container body 14 through the second containeraperture 20 without removing the top 26 of the container body 14, andwithout otherwise disassembling the container 12.

The design of the oxygenation assembly 228 can be varied to suit thespecific design requirements of the container assembly 10. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the oxygenation assembly 228 includes anoxygenator 230 and an oxygenator mount assembly 232.

The oxygenator 230 can be precisely controlled in order to releaseoxygen into the liquid 16 at any desired rate and time. This integratedmicro-oxygenation release system has been created to simulate thenatural breathing of a wood barrel in a non-breathing aging container,like a stainless steel barrel. The specific design of the oxygenator 230will be described in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, the oxygenator mount assembly 232 includes a lowermount 234 for securing and/or mounting the oxygenator 230 substantiallyadjacent to the bottom 24 of the container body 14, and an upper mount236 (illustrated in FIG. 4) for securing and/or mounting the oxygenator230 substantially adjacent to the top 26 of the container body 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower mount 234 is substantially centrallylocated along the bottom 24 of the container body 14 and is adapted toreceive and retain the oxygenator 230 when the oxygenator 230 ispositioned within the container body 14. In certain non-exclusivealternative embodiments, the lower mount 234 can be secured to thebottom 24 of the container body 14 with screws, by welding, or by someother method. Somewhat similarly, the upper mount 232 is substantiallycentrally located along the top 26 of the container body 14 and isadapted to receive and retain the oxygenator 230 when the oxygenator ispositioned within the container body 14. In certain non-exclusivealternative embodiments, the upper mount 232 can be secured to the top26 of the container body 14 with screws, by welding, or by some othermethod. Alternatively, the oxygenator mount assembly 232 can have adifferent design and/or the lower mount 234 and the upper mount 236 canbe positioned in different locations relative to the container body 14.In one embodiment, at least one of the mounts 232, 234 includes abearing (not illustrated) that allows for easy rotation of theoxygenator 230 relative to the container body 14.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a portion of the oxygenator230 can be positioned within and/or extend through the first containeraperture 18. With this design, the user is better able to access theoxygenator 230 in order to add or remove oxygen from the oxygenator 230and to control the release of oxygen into the liquid 16 that is presentwithin the container body 14.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assembly 10illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates that thecontainer assembly 10 further includes an insert retainer assembly 338for receiving and retaining one or more flavor inserts 440 (illustratedin FIG. 4) as a means to impart a flavor on the liquid 16 (illustratedin FIG. 1) during the aging process. It should be noted that a portionof the side wall 22 has been removed in FIG. 3 so as to enable theviewing of the insert retainer assembly 338 as it is positioned withinthe container body 14.

In one embodiment, the insert retainer assembly 338 can have a modulardesign such that the insert retainer assembly 338 can be positionedwithin and/or removed from the container body 14 through the secondcontainer aperture 20 without removing the top 26 of the container body14, and without otherwise disassembling the container 12.

The design of the insert retainer assembly 338 can be varied to suit thespecific design requirements of the container assembly 10. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the insert retainer assembly 338 includes a lowerretainer 342 and an upper retainer 344 that cooperate to selectivelyretain the one or more flavor inserts 440 spaced apart from thecontainer body 14. Alternatively, the insert retainer assembly 338 canhave a different design. For example, in one alternative embodiment, theinsert retainer assembly 338 can be designed so as to allow the one ormore flavor inserts 440 to contact the container body 14 when the flavorinserts 440 are positioned within the container body 14.

As illustrated in this embodiment, the lower retainer 342 can be mountedabout the oxygenator 230 near the bottom 24 of the container body 14.Alternatively, the container assembly 10 could include a retainer tubethat substantially surrounds the oxygenator 230, and the lower retainer342 could be mounted about the retainer tube near the bottom 24 of thecontainer body 14. Still alternatively, the lower retainer 342 can bemounted within the container body 14 in a different position and/or in adifferent manner.

Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the lowerretainer 342 includes a plurality of lower retainer arms 346 that extendradially away from the oxygenator 230 toward the side wall 22 of thecontainer body 14. In this embodiment, the lower retainer 342 includesseven lower retainer arms 346 that are substantially evenly spaced aboutthe oxygenator 230. Alternatively, the lower retainer 342 can includemore than seven or less than seven lower retainer arms 346, depending onthe number of flavor inserts 440 that are desired to be retained withinthe container body 14.

In one embodiment, the second container aperture 20 is uniquely sizedand shaped so that only one lower retainer arm 346 can be positionedwithin and/or removed from the container body 14 through the secondcontainer aperture 20 at any given rotational position of the lowerretainer 342. In such embodiment, after each lower retainer arm 346 ispositioned within and/or removed from the container body 14 through thesecond container aperture 20, the lower retainer 342 can be rotated,e.g., via rotation of the oxygenator 230, so that another lower retainerarm 346 can be individually positioned within and/or removed from thecontainer body 14 through the second container aperture 20.

Further, in this embodiment, each lower retainer arm 346 includes astep-like design that defines a plurality of insert openings 348,wherein each insert opening 348 is sized and shaped to selectivelyreceive and retain one of the flavor inserts 440. As illustrated, eachlower retainer arm 346 can include five insert openings 348 forselectively receiving and retaining up to five flavor inserts 440.Alternatively, each lower retainer arm 346 can be designed to includemore than five or less than five insert openings 348, depending on thenumber of flavor inserts 440 that are desired to be retained within thecontainer body 14. Additionally, in this embodiment, each of the insertopenings 348 is a generally rectangular shaped opening that is slightlylarger than the cross-section of the flavor inserts 440. Alternatively,for example, one or more of the insert openings 348 can be anothershape, such as a circle, a triangle or an octagon.

Still further, as illustrated, each lower retainer arm 346 can includean arm base 350 that extends downward from and underneath the remainderof the lower retainer arm 346. In particular, the arm base 350 can beselectively coupled to the lower retainer arm 350 near an outer edge ofthe lower retainer arm 350, i.e. near the edge of the lower retainer arm350 closest to the side wall 22 of the container body 14. Further, thearm base 350 can be selectively coupled to the outer surface of theoxygenator 230 and/or to an inner edge of the lower retainer arm 350substantially adjacent to the oxygenator 230. With this design, when theflavor inserts 440 are positioned within the insert openings 348, theflavor inserts 440 are supported at one end by the arm base 350, suchthat the flavor inserts 440 are maintained spaced apart from the bottom24 of the container body 14. Alternatively, the lower retainer arms 346can be designed without the arm base 350, and the flavor inserts 440 canbe allowed to contact the bottom 24 of the container body 14 or theflavor inserts 440 can be maintained spaced apart from the bottom 24 ofthe container body 14 in a different manner.

In one embodiment, each of the lower retainer arms 346 is made of astainless steel material. Alternatively, each lower retainer arm 346 canbe made of another suitable material.

As illustrated in this embodiment, the upper retainer 344 can be mountedabout the oxygenator 230 near the top 26 of the container body 14.Alternatively, the container assembly 10 could include a retainer tubethat substantially surrounds the oxygenator 230, and the upper retainer344 could be mounted about the retainer tube near the top 26 of thecontainer body 14. Still alternatively, the upper retainer 344 can bemounted within the container body 14 in a different position and/or in adifferent manner.

Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the upperretainer 344 includes a plurality of upper retainer arms 352 that extendradially away from the oxygenator 230 toward the side wall 22 of thecontainer body 14. In this embodiment, the upper retainer 344 includesseven upper retainer arms 352 that are substantially evenly spaced aboutthe oxygenator 230, and that are designed to be substantially verticallyaligned with the lower retainer arms 346. Alternatively, the upperretainer 344 can include more than seven or less than seven upperretainer arms 352, depending on the number of flavor inserts 440 thatare desired to be retained within the container body 14.

In one embodiment, the second container aperture 20 is uniquely sizedand shaped so that only one upper retainer arm 352 can be positionedwithin and/or removed from the container body 14 through the secondcontainer aperture 20 at any given rotational position of the upperretainer 344. In such embodiment, after each upper retainer arm 352 ispositioned within and/or removed from the container body 14 through thesecond container aperture 20, the upper retainer 344 can be rotated,e.g., via rotation of the oxygenator 230, so that another upper retainerarm 352 can be individually positioned within and/or removed from thecontainer body 14 through the second container aperture 20.

Further, in this embodiment, each upper retainer arm 352 includes astep-like design that defines a plurality of insert openings 354,wherein each insert opening 354 is sized and shaped to selectivelyreceive and retain one of the flavor inserts 440. As illustrated, eachupper retainer arm 352 can include five insert openings 354 forselectively receiving and retaining up to five flavor inserts 440.Alternatively, each upper retainer arm 352 can be designed to includemore than five or less than five insert openings 354, depending on thenumber of flavor inserts 440 that are desired to be retained within thecontainer body 14. Additionally, in this embodiment, each of the insertopenings 354 is a generally rectangular shaped opening that is slightlylarger than the cross-section of the flavor inserts 440. Alternatively,for example, one or more of the insert openings 354 can be anothershape, such as a circle, a triangle or an octagon.

In one embodiment, each of the upper retainer arms 352 is made of astainless steel material. Alternatively, each upper retainer arm 352 canbe made of another suitable material.

With the present design, a flavor insert 440 can be added to the insertretainer assembly 338 by sliding the flavor insert 440 into one of theinsert openings 354 in one of the upper retainer arms 352, into thecorresponding insert opening 348 in one of the lower retainer arms 346and against the arm base 350. In this embodiment, the arm base 350inhibits further downward movement of the flavor insert 440 relative tothe insert retainer assembly 338.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assembly 10illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates that thecontainer assembly 10 includes the one or more flavor inserts 440. Asillustrated, each flavor insert 440 can be selectively received andretained within the chamber 14A by the insert retainer assembly 338. Inparticular, each flavor insert 440 is positioned within and/or extendsthrough one of the insert openings 348 in one of the lower retainer arms346 and one of the insert openings 354 in one of the upper retainer arms352.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, each flavor insert 440 has agenerally rectangular shaped cross-section. Alternatively, for example,one or more of the flavor inserts 440 can have another cross-sectionalshape, such as a circular, oval, triangle, or an octagon. In oneembodiment, each flavor insert 440 can have a size of approximatelythree inches wide, twenty-eight inches long and five-sixteenths of aninch thick, although other sizes are equally possible.

With the specific design as disclosed herein above, wherein eachretainer 342, 344 includes seven retainer arms 346, 352, and eachretainer arm 346, 352 includes five retainer openings 348, 354, thecontainer assembly 10 can hold from zero up to thirty-five flavorinserts 440. Alternatively, with a different design, the containerassembly can hold more than thirty-five or less than thirty-five flavorinserts 440.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the insert retainer assembly 338retains the flavor inserts 440 spaced apart from each other so thatalmost the entirety of each flavor insert 440 is exposed to the liquid16 (illustrated in FIG. 1) in the chamber 14A. Further, in oneembodiment, the insert retainer assembly 338 retains the flavor inserts440 in a fashion that allows the flavor inserts 440 to expand andcontract.

The ability to impact the flavor of the liquid 16 by inserting differenttypes of flavor inserts 440 into the chamber 14A is a great benefit increating the finest beverage possible during the aging process. Forexample, at the beginning of the aging process, ten flavor inserts 440can be placed in the chamber 14A. The flavor inserts 440 can be a firsttype of wood or some of the flavor inserts 440 can be of the first typeof wood and some of the flavor inserts 440 can be of another type ofwood. Subsequently, during the aging process, one or more flavor inserts440 can be added or removed from the chamber 14A to adjust and influencethe aging process. If flavor inserts 440 are added, the flavor inserts440 can be of the first type of wood or another type of wood.

The one or more flavor inserts 440 impart a flavor on the liquid 16during the aging process. The number of flavor inserts 440 utilized andthe type of flavor inserts 440 utilized can be adjusted to preciselyadjust the desired outcome of the liquid 16. With this design, theperfect material and the perfect amount of material for the liquid 16for extracting flavor during the aging process can be utilized. With theability to change the number and types of flavor inserts 440 utilizedduring the aging process, the present invention provides greatflexibility in the timing and the flavor development of the liquid 16during the aging process.

As non-exclusive examples, one or more of the flavor inserts 440 can bemade of different species of wood, such as white oak, red oak, redwood,douglas fir, maple, birch, hickory, and/or any combination thereof.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the container assembly 10further includes an access door 456 that is coupled to the top 26 of thecontainer body 14 and that is adapted to selectively close and seal theinsert aperture 20. In different non-exclusive embodiments, the accessdoor 456 can be hingably and/or removably coupled to the top 26 of thecontainer body 14. As the access door is designed to completely coverand seal the insert aperture 20, in certain embodiments, the size of theaccess door 456 can be such that it is less than approximatelytwenty-five percent (25%) of the total surface area of the top 26 of thecontainer body 14. More particularly, in one embodiment, the size of theaccess door 456 can be between approximately five percent (5%) and tenpercent (10%) of the total surface area of the top 26 of the containerbody 14. Alternatively, the access door 456 can be a different sizeand/or the access door 456 can be coupled to the top 26 of the containerbody 14 in another manner. For example, the access door 456 can begreater than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total surface area of thetop 26 of the container body 14 or less than five percent (5%) of thetotal surface area of the top 26 of the container body 14.

Through the access door 456 and/or through the insert aperture 20, theflavor inserts 440 can be easily added, removed or replaced from theinsert retainer assembly 338 while the liquid 16 is in the chamber 14Aand while the insert retainer assembly 338 is positioned within thecontainer body 14. More specifically, the insert aperture 20 and theaccess door 456 are uniquely sized and shaped so that only a single rowof flavor inserts 440 can be added or removed from the container body 14through the insert aperture 20 and/or the access door 456 at any givenrotational position of the retainer insert assembly 338. For example, inone embodiment, only a single row of flavor inserts 440 can be added orremoved from a single lower retainer arm 346 and a single upper retainerarm 352 through the insert aperture 20 and/or the access door 456 at anygiven rotational position of the retainer insert assembly 338.Subsequently, the insert retainer assembly 338 can be rotated so thatsubsequent rows of the flavor inserts 440 can be individually added orremoved from the container body 14 through the insert aperture 20 and/orthe access door 456. With this design, the flavor inserts 440 can beremoved, renewed, changed, added to or decreased from during the agingprocess, while the liquid 16 is still in the chamber 14A. Theflexibility to change, add or remove the flavor inserts 440 continuesthrough the complete aging process right up to the bottling. Thisprocess can be repeated as many times as necessary to extract theoptimum flavor and structure from the flavor inserts 440.

In one embodiment, the container body 14 and the access door 456 aremade of materials that impart substantially no flavor on the liquid 16and that are substantially liquid impervious. For example, in oneembodiment, one or both of the container body 14 and the access door 456are made of stainless steel or aluminum. With this design, the containerbody 14 and the access door 456 can be easily cleaned and reused withmany different liquids 16. Moreover, having the ability to quickly andeasily change the flavor inserts 440 allows the user to easily converthis barrel inventory from one type of wood flavoring component toanother, even adding more wood or subtracting undesirable flavoringcomponents, without having to purchase entirely new containers. Thus,the present invention provides many economic, environmental andmanufacturing advantages over the older more traditional agingequipment. For example, once the initial investment in the container 12is made, the cost to achieve the highest barrel quality is only afunction of the cost of the flavor inserts 440. The cost to replace theflavor inserts 440 inside the container 12 with flavor inserts 440 ofcomparable wood and quality can be less than approximately 10% the costof a similar new wood barrel. As an example, a typical high end barrelused for only the finest wines is typically made from French oak and cancost approximately $900 to $1,000. To achieve the same French oaksurface area ratio to volume of liquid utilizing flavor inserts 440 withthe present design, it can cost between approximately $30 and $40.Further, the useful life of such a wood barrel is typically only one ortwo vintages at which point the wood in contact with the liquid losesthe ability to impart flavors on the liquid. Accordingly, the presentinvention allows a user with limited financial resources the opportunityto use high end wood flavoring components every vintage with totallyflexible barrel inventory.

Additionally, as noted above, the use of the access door 456 as providedherein, allows the insert retainer assembly 338 to be installed insidethe container body 14 through the insert aperture 20.

Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the container assembly10 also includes a rotator 458 that is coupled to the oxygenator 230 forselectively rotating the oxygenator 230 (illustrated in FIG. 2), theinsert retainer assembly 338 and the flavor inserts 440 within thecontainer body 14, i.e. within the chamber 14A. More specifically, inthis embodiment, the rotator 458 can be used to selectively move and/orrotate the oxygenator 230, the insert retainer assembly 338 and one ormore of the flavor inserts 440 relative to the rest of the containerassembly 10. As illustrated, the rotator 458 is centrally locatedrelative to the top 26 of the container body 14 substantially adjacentto the upper mount 236 of the oxygenator mount assembly 232.Additionally, the rotator 458 is designed to completely cover and sealthe rotator aperture 18. Alternatively, the rotator 458 can bepositioned in another location relative to the container body 14.

With the present design, the rotator 458 can be used to selective rotatethe oxygenator 230, the insert retainer assembly 338 and the flavorinserts 440 without opening the chamber 14A, with the chamber 14A sealedand with the chamber 14A full of liquid 16.

In one embodiment, the rotator 458 can be a knob that can be manuallyand selectively rotated by the user. Alternatively, the rotator 458 caninclude a handle or some other means to enable the user to manually andselectively rotate the rotator 458. Additionally and/or alternatively,the rotator 458 can include a motor (not illustrated) that enables theuser to automatically rotate the oxygenator 230 and the insert retainerassembly 338 and the flavor inserts 440 within the chamber 14A.

The purpose of the rotation of the insert retainer assembly 338 is toenable the user to position the upper retainer arms 352 and the lowerretainer arms 346 so that the flavor inserts 440 can be inserted into orremoved from the chamber 14A via the access door 456. Additionally, theflavor inserts 440 can be inserted or removed in this manner, asdesired, when the chamber 14A is full of liquid 16 or when the chamber14A contains no liquid.

Further, the size and positioning of the access door 456 in combinationwith the ability to rotate the oxygenator 230 with the rotator 458enables the user to install the insert retainer assembly 338 through theaccess door 456 without removing the top 26 of the container body 14.Moreover, the features of the container assembly 10, as described indetail herein, enable the oxygenator 230, the insert retainer assembly338 and the one or more flavor inserts 440 to be installed through theaccess door 456, i.e. through the insert aperture 20, without otherwisedisassembling the container 12.

An additional benefit to utilizing the rotator 458 to rotate theoxygenator 230, the insert retainer assembly 338 and the flavor inserts440 is that this operation effectively stirs the liquid 16 that is inthe chamber 14A. This operation is easy to perform while the container12 is in any orientation, horizontal, vertical or anywhere in between.This stirring process is referred to as “stirring of the lees”, and itis required frequently during the aging of wine and spirits. Forexample, some winemakers stir the lees every 2 to 4 weeks. Moreover, thepresent stirring process as disclosed herein is much simpler and easierthan traditional methods for stirring the lees, and it can do a muchmore thorough and consistent job of stirring than current traditionalmethods.

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of thecontainer assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 5illustrates a lower retainer arm 346, an upper retainer arm 352, andfive flavor inserts 440 that can be easily installed in modular fashionwithin the chamber 14A through the access door 456.

Additionally, FIG. 5 illustrates that in one embodiment, each upperretainer arm 352 can further include an arm lock 560 that extends upwardfrom and over top of the remainder of the upper retainer arm 352. Inparticular, the arm lock 560 can be selectively coupled to the upperretainer arm 352 near an outer edge of the upper retainer arm 352, i.e.near the edge of the upper retainer arm 352 closest to the side wall 22of the container body 14. Further, the arm lock 560 can be selectivelycoupled to the outer surface of the oxygenator 230 and/or to an inneredge of the upper retainer arm 352 substantially adjacent to theoxygenator 230. With this design, when the flavor inserts 440 arepositioned within the insert openings 354, the flavor inserts 440 areinhibited from moving (e.g., floating) upward relative to the containerbody 14. Moreover, this design enables the flavor inserts 440 to bemaintained spaced apart from the top 26 of the container body 14.Alternatively, the arm lock 560 can have a different design. Stillalternatively, the upper retainer arms 352 can be designed without thearm lock 560, and the flavor inserts 440 can be allowed to contact thetop 26 of the container body 14 or the flavor inserts 440 can bemaintained spaced apart from the top 26 of the container body 14 in adifferent manner.

FIG. 6A is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of anoxygenator 630 having features of the present invention. As providedabove, the oxygenator 630 can be precisely controlled to enable theuser, e.g. the wine maker, to release oxygen, or other fluid, into theliquid 16 (illustrated in FIG. 1) at any desired rate and time.Additionally, by positioning the oxygenator 630 substantially within thechamber 14A, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the oxygenator 630 provides apractical and convenient source for introducing oxygen into the liquid16 (illustrated in FIG. 1) that is contained within the chamber 14A.

The design of the oxygenator 630 can be varied to suit the specificdesign requirements of the container assembly 10 (illustrated in FIG.1). As described herein, the integrated system of the oxygenator 630 hasbeen created to simulate the natural breathing of a wood barrel in anon-breathing aging container, such as a stainless steel container.Additionally, the oxygenator 630 creates the aging qualities afforded bya traditional wood barrel, but can utilize stainless steel containers,which are more economical and have a longer service life.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the oxygenator 630 includes a first tank 662,a second tank 664, a plurality of caps 666, a first valve 668, a secondvalve 670, and one or more diffusers 672.

The first tank 662 is a high pressure storage tank which is adapted forstoring at least a majority of the oxygen that can be released over timeas desired into the chamber 14A. As such, the first tank 662 canfunction as and/or be referred to as a fluid source, e.g., an oxygensource. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the first tank 662 isa long slender tube with a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.Alternatively, the first tank 662 can have a different design. Forexample, in certain non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the firsttank 662 can have a substantially square, rectangle, triangle or ovalcross-sectional shape. As illustrated above in FIG. 2, the first tank662 can be conveniently positioned within the chamber 14A, such that thefirst tank 662 extends generally downward from the top 26 (illustratedin FIG. 2) of the container body 14 (illustrated in FIG. 2) most of theway toward the bottom 24 (illustrated in FIG. 2) of the container body14.

In certain embodiments, the first tank 662 can be designed to hold acertain volume of oxygen that can be compressed at a certain pressure.For example, in one embodiment, the first tank 662 can be designed tohold approximately 0.5 cubic feet of oxygen that is compressed atapproximately two hundred pounds per square inch (psi). In anotherembodiment, the first tank 662 can be designed to hold approximatelyfive cubic feet of oxygen that is compressed at approximately threehundred psi. Alternatively, the first tank 662 can be designed to holddifferent volumes of oxygen that can be compressed to different extentsthat those specifically disclosed herein. For example, the first tank662 can be designed to hold more than five or less than 0.5 cubic feetof compressed oxygen, and/or the oxygen can be compressed to greaterthan approximately three hundred psi or less than approximately twohundred psi, depending on the requirements of the container assembly 10.

In this embodiment, the second tank 664 is integrated with and/orcoupled to the first tank 662. Moreover, the second tank 664 is in fluidcommunication with the first tank 662. The second tank 664 is used as aregulated dispersion oxygen tank, which receives oxygen from the firsttank 662, i.e. the oxygen source, and which releases oxygen into theliquid 16 through the diffusers 672. As such, the second tank 664functions essentially as a conduit through which the oxygen can beintroduced into the liquid 16 via the one or more diffusers 672.Additionally, in one embodiment, the second tank 664 can also store arelatively small portion of the oxygen that can be released over time asdesired into the chamber 14A.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the second tank 664 is a shortslender tube with a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.Alternatively, the second tank 664 can have a different design. Forexample, in certain non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the secondtank 664 can have a substantially square, rectangle, triangle or ovalcross-sectional shape. Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.6A, the length of the second tank 664 is approximately one-sixth thelength of the first tank 662. Alternatively, the relative lengths of thesecond tank 664 and the first tank 662 can be different. For example,the second tank 664 can have a length that is greater than or less thanone-sixth the length of the first tank 662.

It should be noted that the use of the terms “first tank” and “secondtank” is merely for ease of discussion, and either tank can be referredto as the first tank or the second tank.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the plurality of caps 666includes a first cap 666A, a second cap 666B and a third cap 666C.

The first cap 666A seals an end of the first tank 662 positioned awayfrom the second tank 664. In particular, the first cap 666A seals theend of the first tank 662 that is positioned substantially adjacent tothe top 26 of the container body 14 when the oxygenator 630 ispositioned within the chamber 14A.

The second cap 666B seals the connection between the first tank 662 andthe second tank 664.

The third cap 666C seals an end of the second tank 664 positioned awayfrom the first tank 662. In particular, the third cap 666C seals the endof the second tank 664 that is positioned substantially adjacent to thebottom 24 of the container body 14 when the oxygenator 630 is positionedwithin the chamber 14A.

It should be noted that the use of the terms “first cap”, “second cap”and “third cap” is merely for ease of discussion, and any of the capscan be referred to as the first cap, the second cap or the third cap.

The first valve 668 is positioned substantially adjacent to the firstcap 666A. The first valve 668 provides an access port to enable the userto quickly and easily introduce oxygen into and/or remove oxygen fromthe first tank 662. Stated another way, the first valve 668 enables theuser to store a specific volume and pressure of oxygen within the firsttank 662, such that the first tank 662 can function as the oxygen sourcefor introducing the oxygen into the liquid 16 during the aging process.

The second valve 670 is positioned substantially between the first tank662 and the second tank 664 and substantially adjacent to the second cap666B. The second valve 670 can be a pressure valve that regulates thevolume and rate of the oxygen that is being passed from the first tank662, i.e. the oxygen source, to the second tank 664 so that a desiredamount of the oxygen can be introduced into the liquid 16 at a desiredrate during the aging process. In one embodiment, the second valve 670functions at a predetermined setting during the aging process so as tobest simulate the natural breathing of a wood barrel in a non-breathingaging container. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the oxygenator 630can include a control system (not illustrated) with which the secondvalve 670 can be controlled so as to control and/or adjust the amountand rate of the oxygen that is being introduced into the liquid 16.

It should be noted that the use of the terms “first valve” and “secondvalve” is merely for ease of discussion, and either valve can bereferred to as the first valve or the second valve.

As provided herein, the one or more diffusers 672 are in fluidcommunication with the second tank 664 and, as such, are adapted tocontrollably release oxygen from the second tank 664 into the liquid 16.More particularly, the diffusers 672 function essentially as a conduitthrough which the oxygen that is passed from the first tank 662 to thesecond tank 664 can be controllably released into the liquid 16 duringthe aging process. As illustrated, each of the one or more diffusers 672can be coupled to the second tank 664 via a diffuser aperture 672A.Alternatively, the one or more diffusers 672 can be coupled to thesecond tank 664 in a different manner. In this embodiment, the one ormore diffusers 672 are positioned so as to extend laterally or radiallyaway from the second tank 664. With this design, the diffusers 672 areable to disperse the oxygen substantially equally throughout the liquid16 during the aging process.

In one alternative embodiment, the oxygenator 630 can include one ormore diffuser valves (not illustrated) that can be utilized toindividually and independently control the oxygen that is beingintroduced into the liquid through each of the diffusers 672.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, a pair of mounting rings 676 arepositioned about the oxygenator 630 to provide points at which the lowerretainer 342 (illustrated in FIG. 3) and the upper retainer 344(illustrated in FIG. 3) can be mounted about the oxygenator 630. Inparticular, a lower mounting ring 676L is mounted about the oxygenator630 substantially adjacent to the second tank 664 to provide a point atwhich the lower retainer 342 can be mounted about the oxygenator 630.Additionally, an upper mounting ring 676U is mounted about theoxygenator 630 near the end of the first tank 662 that is positionedaway from the second tank 664 to provide a point at which the upperretainer 344 can be mounted about the oxygenator 630.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the oxygenator 630 illustrated in FIG. 6A. Inparticular, FIG. 6B illustrates that this embodiment of the oxygenator630 includes seven diffusers 672 that extend radially outward away fromthe remainder of the oxygenator 630 and that are substantially evenlyspaced about the oxygenator 630, i.e. about the second tank 664(illustrated in FIG. 6A) of the oxygenator 630. Alternatively, theoxygenator 630 can be designed to include greater than seven or lessthan seven diffusers 672.

Referring back to FIG. 3, each of the diffusers 672 is positioned suchthat the diffuser 672 is substantially centrally located betweenadjacent lower retainer arms 346. Alternatively, the diffusers 672 andthe lower retainer arms 346 can have a different positional relationshiprelative to one another.

FIG. 6C is a side view of the oxygenator 630 illustrated in FIG. 6A. Inparticular, FIG. 6C illustrates the oxygenator 630 in a fully assembledcondition such that the oxygenator 630 can be quickly and easilypositioned within the container body 14 (illustrated in FIG. 1), i.e.the chamber 14A (illustrated in FIG. 1), in order to enable the user toeffectively control the introduction of oxygen into the liquid 16(illustrated in FIG. 1) that is being aged within the container 12(illustrated in FIG. 1). Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6C, the firstvalve 668 can be easily accessed by the user in order to quickly andeasily introduce oxygen into and/or remove oxygen from the first tank662 while the oxygenator 630 is positioned within the container 12.

FIG. 7A is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodimentof an oxygenator 730 having features of the present invention. Thedesign of the oxygenator 730 is somewhat similar to the oxygenator 630illustrated and described above in relation to FIG. 6A. For example, inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A, the oxygenator 730 includes afirst tank 762, a second tank 764, a first cap 766A, a third cap 766C, afirst valve 768, a second valve 770, and one or more diffusers 772(illustrated in FIG. 7B) that are substantially similar to the firsttank 662, the second tank 664, the first cap 666A, the third cap 666C,the first valve 668, the second valve 670, and the one or more diffusers672 illustrated and described above in relation to FIG. 6A. Accordingly,a detailed description of such elements will not be repeated.Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A, the oxygenator730 further includes a connector 780.

As in the previous embodiment, the first tank 762, i.e. the fluid sourceor oxygen source, is a high pressure storage tank which is adapted forstoring at least a majority of the fluid, e.g., oxygen, that can bereleased over time as desired into the chamber 14A (illustrated in FIG.1). Similar to the previous embodiment, the first tank 762 is a longslender tube with a substantially circular cross-sectional shape that isdesigned to hold a certain volume of oxygen that can be compressed at acertain pressure. In this embodiment, the first tank 762 can beconveniently positioned within the chamber 14A, such that the first tank762 extends generally downward from the top 26 (illustrated in FIG. 2)of the container body 14 (illustrated in FIG. 2) approximately half waytoward the bottom 24 (illustrated in FIG. 2) of the container body 14.

Additionally, as in the previous embodiment, the second tank 764 isintegrated with and/or coupled to the first tank 762, and the secondtank 764 is in fluid communication with the first tank 762. Further, thesecond tank 764 is used as a regulated dispersion oxygen tank orconduit, which receives oxygen from the first tank 762, i.e. the oxygensource, and which releases oxygen into the liquid 16 through thediffusers. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A, the second tank 764is a long slender tube with a substantially circular cross-sectionalshape, wherein the length of the second tank 664 is approximately thesame as the length of the first tank 762. Alternatively, the lengths ofthe second tank 764 and the first tank 762 can be different.Additionally, in this embodiment, the second tank 764 can function as asecond and/or backup fluid source.

The connector 780 is positioned substantially between and connects thefirst tank 762 and the second tank 764. Further, the connector 780 sealsthe connection between the first tank 762 and the second tank 764. Asillustrated in FIG. 7A, the connector 780 includes a connector aperture782 that extends transversely through the connector 780. The connectoraperture 782 is adapted to receive a pipe or other conduit (notillustrated) that can be used for filling the liquid 16 (illustrated inFIG. 1) into the chamber 14A, pumping or otherwise removing the liquid16 from the chamber 14A, or racking of the liquid 16 within the chamber14A. More particularly, the connector aperture 782 is aligned with thebunghole (not illustrated) that extends through the container body 14,such that the connector aperture 782 and the bunghole cooperate toreceive the pipe or conduit that can be used for filling the liquid 16into the chamber 14A, pumping or otherwise removing the liquid 16 fromthe chamber 14A, or racking of the liquid 16 within the chamber 14A.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the oxygenator 730 illustrated in FIG. 7A. Inparticular, FIG. 7B illustrates the oxygenator 730 in a fully assembledcondition such that the oxygenator 730 can be quickly and easilypositioned within the container body 14 (illustrated in FIG. 1), i.e.the chamber 14A (illustrated in FIG. 1), in order to enable the user toeffectively control the introduction of oxygen into the liquid 16(illustrated in FIG. 1) that is being aged within the container 12(illustrated in FIG. 1).

FIG. 8 is a simplified flow chart that outlines an embodiment of aprocess for installing an access door, an oxygenator, and an insertretainer assembly in a container. In different embodiments, the accessdoor and the insert retainer assembly can be installed in a stainlesssteel container or in an existing wood barrel. It should be noted thatthe installation of the access door, the oxygenator, and the insertretainer assembly in an existing wood barrel is unique in that it can beaccomplished with ease onsite at the winery if desired withoutdisassembling the barrel.

Initially, in step 801, one or more container apertures are cut into thecontainer. In particular, a container aperture can be cut into thecontainer that is sized and shaped to accommodate a portion of theoxygenator and the rotator, and/or a container aperture can be cut intothe container that is sized and shaped to fit the access doorcomponents. In one embodiment, the container aperture that is designedto fit the access door components is substantially rectangular and isapproximately four inches by twelve inches in size. Next, in step 803,the access door main body is thru bolted onto the container with abottom flange (inside the container) and a top flange (outside thecontainer), thereby creating a strong structural liquid tight seal.Subsequently, in step 805, the access door is assembled, such that theaccess door is coupled to the container. For example, in differentnon-exclusive embodiments, the access door can be hingably and/orremovably coupled to the container.

Next, in step 807, a lower mount is installed through the containeraperture, i.e. through the access door, and the lower mount is attachedto the interior surface on the bottom of the container. Then, in step809, the oxygenator, which provides a pivot point for the rotator, isinserted down through the container aperture until it reaches the bottomof the container, and the oxygenator is coupled to the lower mount.

Subsequently, in step 811, the lower retainer arms and the upperretainer arms are mounted about the oxygenator. The retainer arms areeasily mounted about the oxygenator by rotating the oxygenator andtiming the retainer arms in relationship to the access door opening,i.e. to the container aperture. This step is repeated until all of thelower retainer arms and the upper retainer arms are mounted about theoxygenator.

Next, in step 813, the desired number and type of flavor inserts areinserted through the access door and consecutively into the upperretainer arms and the lower retainer arms. The flavor inserts are nowretained securely within the container by the upper retainer arms andthe lower retainer arms. Finally, in step 815, the access door is closedsecurely in a liquid tight fashion and the container is ready for theliquid, e.g., the wine or spirit, to be introduced into the container ina traditional fashion through a bunghole.

It should be noted that some of the steps as described herein can becombined or eliminated and/or the order of some of the steps can bealtered without otherwise changing the purpose and/or results of theabove-recited process.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of a containerassembly 10 have been discussed above, those of skill in the art willrecognize certain modifications, permutations, additions andsub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the followingappended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted toinclude all such modifications, permutations, additions andsub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container assembly for retaining a liquidduring aging of the liquid, the container assembly comprising: acontainer including (i) a container body that defines a chamber thatreceives and retains the liquid, the container body including a top, abottom and a side wall; (ii) a container aperture that extends throughthe top; and (iii) an access door that selectively closes and seals thecontainer aperture; an insert retainer assembly positioned within thechamber, the insert retainer assembly including a plurality of retainerarms, with each retainer arm extending radially toward the side wall,wherein each retainer arm includes a plurality of spaced apart insertopenings; a plurality of flavor inserts that impart a flavor on theliquid, each flavor insert being sized and shaped to fit through thecontainer aperture and into one of the insert openings; and a mountassembly that rotatably secures the insert retainer assembly to thecontainer body so that the insert retainer assembly is selectivelyrotatable relative to the container body to selectively move eachretainer arm to adjacent the container aperture so that the flavorinserts can be inserted or removed from the container through thecontainer aperture.
 2. The container assembly of claim 1 wherein thecontainer aperture has a size that is less than approximatelytwenty-five percent of a total surface area of the top of the containerbody.
 3. The container assembly of claim 1 wherein the containeraperture has a size that is between approximately five percent and tenpercent of a total surface area of the top of the container body.
 4. Thecontainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the container aperture issubstantially rectangular shaped and the container aperture extendsradially from a center of the top to a perimeter of the top.
 5. Thecontainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the container aperture issubstantially rectangular shaped and the container aperture has a radiallength and a width, and wherein the radial length is two times greaterthan the width.
 6. The container assembly of claim 1 wherein the mountassembly secures the insert retainer assembly to the top and a bottom ofthe container body.
 7. The container assembly of claim 1 wherein theinsert retainer assembly includes an arm base that maintains the flavorinserts spaced apart from the bottom of the container.
 8. The containerassembly of claim 1 wherein the insert retainer assembly includes an armlock that maintains the flavor inserts spaced apart from the top of thecontainer.
 9. The container assembly of claim 1 wherein each retainerarm is adapted to receive a row of flavor inserts, and wherein thecontainer aperture is sized and shaped so that only a single row offlavor inserts can be added or removed from the container body throughthe container aperture at a given rotational position of the retainerinsert assembly.
 10. The container assembly of claim 9 wherein theretainer insert assembly can be rotated so that subsequent rows of theflavor inserts can be individually added or removed through insertaperture.
 11. The container assembly of claim 1 further comprising anoxygenator that releases a fluid into the chamber overtime while thechamber is retaining the liquid.
 12. A container assembly for retaininga liquid during aging of the liquid, the container assembly comprising:a container including (i) a container body that defines a chamber thatreceives and retains the liquid, the container body including a top, abottom and a side wall; (ii) a container aperture that extends throughthe top; and (iii) an access door that selectively closes and seals thecontainer aperture; an insert retainer assembly positioned within thechamber, the insert retainer assembly including a plurality of retainerarms, with each retainer arm extending radially toward the side wall,wherein each retainer arm includes a plurality of spaced apart insertopenings; a plurality of flavor inserts that impart a flavor on theliquid, each flavor insert being sized and shaped to fit through thecontainer aperture and into one of the insert openings; and a mountassembly that includes an upper mount that rotatably secures the insertretainer assembly to the top of the container body and a lower mountthat rotatably secures the insert retainer assembly to the bottom of thecontainer body so that the insert retainer assembly is selectivelyrotatable relative to the container body to selectively move eachretainer arm to adjacent the container aperture so that the flavorinserts can be inserted or removed from the container through thecontainer aperture; wherein each retainer arm is adapted to receive arow of flavor inserts, and wherein the container aperture is sized andshaped so that only a single row of flavor inserts can be added orremoved from the container body through the container aperture at agiven rotational position of the retainer insert assembly.
 13. Thecontainer assembly of claim 12 wherein the retainer insert assembly canbe rotated so that subsequent rows of the flavor inserts can beindividually added or removed through insert aperture.
 14. The containerassembly of claim 12 wherein the insert retainer assembly includes anarm lock that maintains the flavor inserts spaced apart from the top ofthe container.
 15. The container assembly of claim 12 wherein thecontainer aperture has a size that is less than approximatelytwenty-five percent of a total surface area of the top of the containerbody.
 16. The container assembly of claim 12 wherein the insert retainerassembly includes an arm base that maintains the flavor inserts spacedapart from the bottom of the container.